Speaking of neighborhood schools…
Almost two years ago, Chester A. Arthur elementary school at 20th & Catharine got a new playground, largely thanks to the efforts of the Friends of Chester A. Arthur parent group. Recently, further FoCA efforts came to fruition as a family gathering area surrounding the playground was constructed. About a year ago, we first told you of these plans, which sprung from collaboration with landscape architecture firm Olin as well as school and neighborhood stakeholders. The most prominent addition to the playground is new seating for parents, which has an additional functionality as a space for plantings.
Since the project came in under budget, FoCA is using some leftover funds to work with a few Arthur teachers to develop new curricula that include a future outdoor learning area, using the College of New Jersey STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) program. This effort will help inform design choices in the schoolyard's master plan, which will hopefully be realized in the coming years.
If you'd like to support FoCA, they take donations on their website. If you'd like to support FoCA and perhaps knock down a couple of cold ones while you're at it, might we suggest attending the first annual FoCA Night Out on March 29th? Thirty-five bucks will get you two hours of open bar, and all proceeds from the event, which will take place at the Bainbridge Club, will go to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education at Chester Arthur. See you there?